About antimony
What is antimony?
Stibnite is the main ore mineral of the element antimony. Antimony can be a silver-white, brittle metal or a grey powder.
How is antimony used?
Are there alternatives?
Sources of exposure:
Antimony is naturally occurring. at low levels, in the soil, air, and water. Man made sources of exposure include:
What are the human health risks?
Antimony toxicity depends on many factors and is poorly understood. Antimony exposure has been linked to:
What are the environmental risks?
Soluble forms of antimony are mobile in water. Less soluble forms are adsorbed onto soil particles. Risks:
More information:
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/antimony.pdf
www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hithef/antimony.html
www.environent-agency.gov.uk
Stibnite is the main ore mineral of the element antimony. Antimony can be a silver-white, brittle metal or a grey powder.
How is antimony used?
- in flame retardants, pigments, paints, ceramics, enamels
- as a hardening / strengthening agent for lead and zinc alloys: used in batteries, solder, sheet/pipe metal, bearings, castings, ammunition
- used in the manufacture of semiconductors, diodes, automotive brake linings, plastics (e.g. PET bottles)
Are there alternatives?
- selected organic compounds and hydrated aluminium oxide can be substituted as flame retardants
- compounds of chromium, tin, titanium, zinc and zirconium can be used in pigments, paints, enamels
- combinations of cadmium, calcium, copper, selenium, strontium, sulfur and tin can be used for hardening lead
Sources of exposure:
Antimony is naturally occurring. at low levels, in the soil, air, and water. Man made sources of exposure include:
- increased levels in air and water from mining and industrial activities & from coal-burning power stations
- vehicle exhaust emissions, brake and tyre dust
- bottled water
What are the human health risks?
Antimony toxicity depends on many factors and is poorly understood. Antimony exposure has been linked to:
- skin irritation
- stomach, liver, kidney, eye, heart and lung damage
- increased incidence of lung cancer
What are the environmental risks?
Soluble forms of antimony are mobile in water. Less soluble forms are adsorbed onto soil particles. Risks:
- soil and water contamination
- exposure to high levels may cause harm to wildlife
- classed as toxic to aquatic organisms
- bio-accumulation in plants and animals needs research
More information:
www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/chemicals/antimony.pdf
www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hithef/antimony.html
www.environent-agency.gov.uk
